Protest announced against handing over of power consumers to PESCO

Muhammad Irshadullah

PESHAWAR: The residents of Torkhow and Mulkhow in Upper Chitral have rejected the government’s decision to transfer these areas to PESCO (Peshawar Electric Supply Company), calling it unjust, and have announced a strong protest against it.

Addressing a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday, area leaders Umair Khalilullah, Molana Javed Hussain, Pir Mukhtar, Tahir Uddin Shadan, Shamsun Nabi Muawiya, Qari Noor Murad, Ghulam Murtaza, Ejaz Rehman, Azeem Sarwar Sahil, Shah Fourman Rayees and others expressed their concerns about the government decision.

They were of the view that PEDO (Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization) is a provincial entity that provides affordable electricity through hydropower, whereas PESCO is a federal institution known for high electricity costs and excessive taxes.

They stated that the underprivileged residents of Torkhow and Mulkhow cannot afford expensive electricity tariffs.

They also expressed concerns over the incomplete construction of Booni-Buzund Road and Mulkhow Road. They accused the C&W (Communication and Works) Department and its officials of corruption, alleging that millions of rupees were paid to them in advance without actual work being completed.

They urged the government to take strict action against corrupt officials and ensure the swift completion of these projects.

They warned that if the decision to transfer Torkhow and Mulkhow to PESCO was not revoked and development projects remained incomplete, the residents will launch a large-scale protest, holding the government fully responsible.

They also cautioned that in the upcoming elections, the public will hold accountable those representatives who have failed to address their grievances.